UVM Catamounts 2019/20

[VTALUM]

No, actually, I think it was most of us haven’t “dared” to coach. Oh Sneds, you’re so courageous!

The smugness of this guy is amazing. And what’s the record? 3-18-4 or something? 0-9-3 Hockey East? Safe bet most contributors to this forum could manage at least a win or two more for that $400k compensation package.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

I listened, thanks for posting this. It's a bit disheartening that UVM's hockey program is being out-spent by most every school in HE. I feel the school really doesn't care about hockey anymore. It's all about basketball now, as evidenced by that team getting a beautiful new facility, while hockey gets a second refurb of the Gut. Maybe I'm mistaken, but we'll see exactly how much they care with the coaching decision after the season.

A good point as Vermont has consistently been second or third lowest in expenses among the league schools. Merrimack used to be last, but as of 2018 (the last year I have reports for - 2019 reports will be available soon) they moved ahead of Vermont. Maine has dropped below Vermont for 2017 & 2018. UML was also below Vermont before Coach Bazin was hired, but they increased their hockey budget 35% at the same time he was hired.

Well the whole athletic department made big budget cuts a year or two ago. Could be the the administrators feel like there's no point spending resources on a losing program and slashed the hockey budget?.

The NCAA reports no no such cuts through 2018, maybe the 2019 report will show them.

The smugness of this guy is amazing. And what’s the record? 3-18-4 or something? 0-9-3 Hockey East? Safe bet most contributors to this forum could manage at least a win or two more for that $400k compensation package.

Here is a chart showing Coach Sneddon's total NCAA reported compensation vs the team's winning percentage for 2010-18

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/Sneddon.png">

Sean

 

[j24vt]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

A good point as Vermont has consistently been second or third lowest in expenses among the league schools. Merrimack used to be last, but as of 2018 (the last year I have reports for - 2019 reports will be available soon) they moved ahead of Vermont. Maine has dropped below Vermont for 2017 & 2018. UML was also below Vermont before Coach Bazin was hired, but they increased their hockey budget 35% at the same time he was hired.

The NCAA reports no no such cuts through 2018, maybe the 2019 report will show them.

Here is a chart showing Coach Sneddon's total NCAA reported compensation vs the team's winning percentage for 2010-18

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/Sneddon.png">

Sean

Any chance of seeing Hockey East winning % vs Compensation?

 

[Charlie Catamount]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

A good point as Vermont has consistently been second or third lowest in expenses among the league schools. Merrimack used to be last, but as of 2018 (the last year I have reports for - 2019 reports will be available soon) they moved ahead of Vermont. Maine has dropped below Vermont for 2017 & 2018. UML was also below Vermont before Coach Bazin was hired, but they increased their hockey budget 35% at the same time he was hired.

The NCAA reports no no such cuts through 2018, maybe the 2019 report will show them.

Here is a chart showing Coach Sneddon's total NCAA reported compensation vs the team's winning percentage for 2010-18



Sean

https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com...y-uvm-reducing-number-some-sports/2386076002/

From that article: The cuts are part of a $400,000 trimming of the school's $21 million athletic budget. The budget, which includes the athletic department and campus recreation and fitness programs, is in the bottom third of Division I schools, according to Schulman.

While the brunt might have been to track and swimming, the school did not allow Sneddon to replace an assistant coach (Kyle Wallack who he fired) at his budgeted number because they reduced the assistant coaching salary pool. You can check the base pay listings online from UVM. Wallack's last year was the 2017-18 season where he made $98k. He was replaced by Jeff Hill who was elevated to a full-time position who was paid $45k his first year and was then allotted $60k for this current year. Kevin Patrick also earned $98k in in the 2017 report and has gone from $99k to $101k in the following years which are basic yearly increases.

Assistant coaching pay in 2017: (Wallack/Patrick = 98k x2 + Hill $30k and classified as "office support specialist = 226k
Assistant coaching pay in 2018: (Patrick $99.8k + Hill 45.6k + Ryan Callahan unlisted salary, likely 30k or under) = 145.6k (liberal estimate of 30k for Callahan = 175.4k)
Assistant coaching pay in 2019: (Patrick $101.9k + Hill 60k) only two full time coaches this year = 161.9k

So right there is one area where the school is not providing the funding it did 3 years ago. Wouldn't be a stretch to say they aren't providing it in other areas at the moment either.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Any chance of seeing Hockey East winning % vs Compensation?

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/SneddonvHE.png">

As can be seen, the winning percentage tracks almost the same as his overall winning percentage, but about 0.075 points lower for each season. When I have some more time I can do a graph with both.

Sean

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/SneddonvHE.png">

As can be seen, the winning percentage tracks almost the same as his overall winning percentage, but about 0.075 points lower for each season. When I have some more time I can do a graph with both.

Sean

This is called not getting much bang for your buck. Schulman has to realize the school can do better. Thanks for putting this together.

 

[j24vt]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/SneddonvHE.png">

As can be seen, the winning percentage tracks almost the same as his overall winning percentage, but about 0.075 points lower for each season. When I have some more time I can do a graph with both.

Sean

Thanks. My gut feeling is that the out of conference games have been against weaker teams the past few years.

 

[SoucyWasNoSieve]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

I don't usually listen to these guys because they are mostly idiot sports talk guys with topics that don't interest me but the local radio station picked up on Sneddon's comments and while I was not surprised one guy basically said that UVM can't compete because they have the lowest budget in the league and bad facilities and blah blah the others mostly said stuff any of us would say that this is a culture and coaching problem. Starts at around the 7:30 mark on the Full Show 1-30 https://www.1013thegame.com/audio-vault/

I think if anything all those comments Sneddon made prove that he's as full of himself and petty like people have been saying for years.

How much of the budgetary issues start with the fact that less people are going to games? UVM hoops sells out, plus hosting all those America East playoff games. This reminds me of when I was there towards the end of Gilligan, when they took out the ice out of the Gut almost the day after the season ended. Being in Chicago, I'm not close by, but I went to Notre Dame the one trip the team took there. And I saw UVM soccer play here this past fall. But friends of mine still in the area tell me they rarely go, if at all. And things like that mean lack of butts in the seats, lower concessions, etc. All things that lower the budget. And if HE brings in another team soon to restore the 12th team (heard a rumor of Sacred Heart in CT), does UVM drop even further. Worst is seeing former ECAC opponents like Clarkson and Cornell fighting for spots in the Frozen Four.

 

[VTALUM]

How much of the budgetary issues start with the fact that less people are going to games? UVM hoops sells out, plus hosting all those America East playoff games. This reminds me of when I was there towards the end of Gilligan, when they took out the ice out of the Gut almost the day after the season ended. Being in Chicago, I'm not close by, but I went to Notre Dame the one trip the team took there. And I saw UVM soccer play here this past fall. But friends of mine still in the area tell me they rarely go, if at all. And things like that mean lack of butts in the seats, lower concessions, etc. All things that lower the budget. And if HE brings in another team soon to restore the 12th team (heard a rumor of Sacred Heart in CT), does UVM drop even further. Worst is seeing former ECAC opponents like Clarkson and Cornell fighting for spots in the Frozen Four.

Sacred Heart? I hear they have an OUTSTANDING defenseman lol (google if you’re unsure of whom I speak).

 

[GreenCat]

Sacred Heart? I hear they have an OUTSTANDING defenseman lol (google if you’re unsure of whom I speak).

Also see a Max Luukko. Is he Nick Luukko’s brother?

 

[Mikey NoNo]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Max is indeed Nick’s brother.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

How much of the budgetary issues start with the fact that less people are going to games?

It's a good point... just browsing box scores from this season, attendance seems to be averaging around 3300. That's a $15,000 / game loss in revenue, or somewhere around $280,000 annual loss of revenue. Sneddon has done a LOT of harm to this program, both in fan loyalty as well as financially. If he hadn't wasted an 8 year waiting list for season ticket holders we'd still be able to afford another assistant coach

 

[Charlie Catamount]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

It's a good point... just browsing box scores from this season, attendance seems to be averaging around 3300. That's a $15,000 / game loss in revenue, or somewhere around $280,000 annual loss of revenue. Sneddon has done a LOT of harm to this program, both in fan loyalty as well as financially. If he hadn't wasted an 8 year waiting list for season ticket holders we'd still be able to afford another assistant coach

And that 3300 could be paid attendance too meaning they are counting their season ticket holders I think who might not go to every game or are corporate seats that don't get filled. At least that is how it was but maybe with the scanner things they get an actual number but I could easily see them doing the paid attendance route to not make it look as dire as what anyone can see on the highlights. Either way seems pretty clear that reduction in the budget is tied to on ice performance and if the next coach can dig them out of the hole back to being competitive and respectable while not dwelling in the basement every year you would see more butts in the seats along with more money set aside for the program since it is easy logic that winning = money. UVM would also be wise to make sure the next coach is allowed the coaching budget from 2017 and not this year's otherwise you will be hard pressed to find someone willing to take the job.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

And that 3300 could be paid attendance too meaning they are counting their season ticket holders I think who might not go to every game or are corporate seats that don't get filled. At least that is how it was but maybe with the scanner things they get an actual number but I could easily see them doing the paid attendance route to not make it look as dire as what anyone can see on the highlights. Either way seems pretty clear that reduction in the budget is tied to on ice performance and if the next coach can dig them out of the hole back to being competitive and respectable while not dwelling in the basement every year you would see more butts in the seats along with more money set aside for the program since it is easy logic that winning = money. UVM would also be wise to make sure the next coach is allowed the coaching budget from 2017 and not this year's otherwise you will be hard pressed to find someone willing to take the job.

I'm waiting on all the schools 2019 NCAA reports to update my financials spreadsheet, but here are Vermont's men's hockey revenue from 2010 through 2018:

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/UVMFinancials.png">

As can be seen ticket sales have dropped some from 2016, while the athletic department stopped using student fees in 2018 to partially fund the hockey program. The department reports no revenue from game programs, novelties, food and concessions or parking for the athletic department overall, not just hockey.

Sean

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

I'm waiting on all the schools 2019 NCAA reports to update my financials spreadsheet, but here are Vermont's men's hockey revenue from 2010 through 2018:

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/UVMFinancials.png">

As can be seen ticket sales have dropped some from 2016, while the athletic department stopped using student fees in 2018 to partially fund the hockey program. The department reports no revenue from game programs, novelties, food and concessions or parking for the athletic department overall, not just hockey.

Sean

Wow, almost a $575,000 drop in operating revenue from the high in 2016 to 2018. That's gotta leave a mark.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Wow, almost a $575,000 drop in operating revenue from the high in 2016 to 2018. That's gotta leave a mark.

Yes and no. A large part of the revenue comes directly from the school, so it is just going from one bucket to another and the athletic department was making the hockey program look good. The program's actual expenses over the same time were generally lower so it appears the department lowered their direct support. That ticket revenue also decline may have been unexpected. Below is the program's overall and earned revenue, expenses, and overall and earned profit/loss:

<img src="https://www.buhockeyarchives.com/Charts/UVMOverall.png">

As can be seen, the program didn't have an earned profit during the time period I have their reports for. Furthermore, the earned loss reached almost $1 million in 2018 as expenses rose and earned revenue dropped.

Sean

 

[Charlie Catamount]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Wow, almost a $575,000 drop in operating revenue from the high in 2016 to 2018. That's gotta leave a mark.

I could see the student fee number being redirected elsewhere at the moment mainly the new basketball arena and Gutterson renovations plus the new fitness center. I think they still charge students the tickets and facilities fee right? The timeline would be lined up because in 2018 was when they really finalized the plans to get started on it. If you look at the records and match them to ticket sales it mostly lines up. 2010-2013 were bad and that also is probably when the wait list began to dwindle and they got a lot of new season ticket holders which could explain the bump in 2012 and 2013 despite the bad results? 2014 they were solid and made the NCAAs but 2015 they were bad again and 2016 was their best season in league in the last decade (6th place) so that makes sense and of course after that all makes sense. Would be really interesting to see what 2019 and 2020 show in that number.

Even if Sneddon wanted to complain about the operating revenue hurting his job there's pretty strong correlation that they'll get the money when the team does well and that's his job (2014 and 2016 two better seasons two highest operating revenue seasons).

 

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Per UVM men's hockey page about 10 minutes ago...

Kevin Sneddon retiring at the end of the season.

https://uvmathletics.com/news/2020/...-down-as-vermonts-coach-at-end-of-season.aspx

 

[TovarishchLisa]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

Per UVM men's hockey page about 10 minutes ago...

Kevin Sneddon retiring at the end of the season.

https://uvmathletics.com/news/2020/...-down-as-vermonts-coach-at-end-of-season.aspx

Finally. The search begins.

 

[pokecheckguy2]

Re: UVM Catamounts 2019/20

YES!!!! them letting him get to retire is a joke but the deed has been done and its the first win for the Cats in a long time!!!